Summer Safety

With summer activities there is a lot to think about to keep your dog safe. One of the main things is to never leave your dog in the car during the hottest weather. Not even in the shade and not even with the windows down. It’s ok when the weather is cooler. But then you must be parked in the shade and have 2 windows open. One is not enough to get air flowing. Make sure that the windows are not down enough for the dog to get out (or for dog nappers to get in).

It takes no time at all for your dog to overheat. Heat in a car can reach over 150 degrees in only minutes. This can lead to dehydration, brain damage or even death. It’s best to err on the side of leaving your dog home. If you see a distressed dog in a hot car, call the police. Leaving a dog in a hot car is against the law in many states. Signs of heatstroke are uncontrollable panting, foaming at the mouth, depression, vomiting, loss of consciousness and a deep red or blue/gray tongue.

Don’t let your dog get overheated when you are playing with him, either. That long tongue and panting mean that he is hot. It’s a good idea to exercise in the morning or evenings when it is cooler. Make sure he has access to a shady spot to cool off. And, of course, lot’s of cool, fresh water.

Other things to think about:

Street asphalt gets hot. Very hot! Walk your dog on the grass or on the sidewalk instead of on the street.

Keep an eye out for fleas and ticks. Examine your dog regularly and talk to your vet about preventative.

Be very careful around pools, lakes, streams and ponds. With all the rain we’ve had, moving water is a big concern for even the most powerful swimmer. We’ll be talking more about water safety soon.